On May 11, 2026, at approximately 11:26 P.M., Officer Hansen of the Austin Police Department was dispatched to the area of 5th Avenue and 7th Street NW in the City of Austin, County of Mower, for a report of suspicious activity. The reporting party advised that a white truck possibly with Iowa plates was sitting running and there was a subject walking to the vehicle. Officer Hansen arrived in the area and observed a 2025 Ford F-150 (IA LIC/PYP624) parked in the 700 block of 5th Avenue NW on the south side.
Hansen drove by the vehicle and observed that it was occupied by at least two people. Hansen ran the license plate and learned that the vehicle registered to a “Ean Holdings LLC,” a rental company. Hansen parked behind the vehicle and noted the vehicle was still running. Hansen exited his squad and approached the vehicle. Officer Hansen contacted the driver, JAMES PAUL HUTCHINSON, DOB/042882, the defendant herein, and advised him of the complaint. While speaking with the defendant, Hansen noticed the defendant was exhibiting multiple signs of impairment including slurred and lethargic speech, hand tremors, finger twitching, and dilated pupils.
Hansen asked the defendant if he had driven to the location and the defendant stated, “yeah.” Hansen then recognized the front seat passenger as Samantha Allen Hinchley, DOB/060394. Hansen knew Hinchley had an outstanding warrant and confirmed it was a sign and released warrant. Officer Hansen asked the defendant to exit the vehicle. Hansen gathered additional information from the defendant and asked him when he last used anything. The defendant told Hansen that he had not used in “a long time” while also stating he had a medical marijuana card.
The defendant was unable to provide his card but told the officer he had last smoked three days prior. The defendant denied using anything else. Officer Hansen asked the defendant to perform the following field sobriety tests: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus; Lack of Convergence, fail; Modified Romberg, fail; Walk and Turn, fail; and One Leg Stand. During the tests, Hansen observed the defendant’s eyelids fluttering and his hands had tremors. Hansen also observed the defendant’s pupils were still dilated and obtained a pulse from the defendant of 100 bpm.
The defendant was placed under arrest. During the search of the defendant, Officer Hansen located a small Ziploc baggie containing two blue pills with “A 67” printed on them inside the defendant’s left pants pockets. Hansen noted the packaging of the pills was consistent with the packaging of illegal controlled substances. The defendant initially claimed that he did not know what the pills were before stating they were “aspirin or something,” and possibly allergy pills. The pills were later identified as 1 mg clonazepam pills.
